Six Chinese nurses were awarded the Florence Nightingale medal on Tuesday for their prominent contributions to health care.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is also the honorary president of the Red Cross Society of China, conferred the medals on the nurses at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao and senior leaders including Li Changchun, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang also attended the awarding ceremony.

Chinese nurses have made great contribution to the country's humanitarian cause, said Vice Premier Hui Liangyu at the awarding ceremony.

A total of 28 nurses from 15 countries worldwide won the award this year.

The Florence Nightingale medal, which is the highest international honor for nurses, is being given for the 42nd time since its introduction in 1912.

"It honors exceptional courage and devotion to caring for the victims of armed conflict or other disasters, or exemplary service and a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education," according to the Web site of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The award is named after Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), an English nurse known for her pioneering work to improve the care of sick and wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856).

A total of 54 Chinese nurses have won the award since the country began to recommend candidates for the award in 1983.